It is a source of food and various materials.
The baobab, also known as Adansonia (Adansonia digitata), is named after the French botanist Michel Adanson. This plant is known for its longevity: its age can reach 2,000–3,000 years, and some biologists claim that certain specimens live up to 4,000–5,000 years. It is difficult to confirm or refute this data, as baobabs lack annual rings that would allow for accurate age determination.
The thick bark conceals soft and porous tissues that can retain a significant amount of water during the rainy season, acting like a sponge. Due to the looseness of the internal tissues, a rifle bullet easily penetrates this giant tree of the savanna.
During drought, moisture loss leads to a reduction in the tree's volume: it sheds its leaves and quickly becomes covered with large flowers up to 20 centimeters in diameter. It is better to observe this beauty from a distance, as the white flowers of the baobab emit an unpleasant rotting smell that attracts only insects and bats, which pollinate the trees. Later, shiny black fruits resembling cucumbers are formed.
The baobab has significant nutritional and industrial value for humans. The bark is used to make ropes, the wood is used for creating boats and paper, and the leaves and fruits are consumed as food. The hollows located at the roots often serve as shelters, while those closer to the crown are used as wells.
Animals also eat the red juicy pulp of baobabs, which has a ginger-like taste and is a favorite treat for monkeys. Elephants, in turn, can eat the baobab whole, including the leaves, branches, and even the trunk.
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